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timandwendy2015
We went specifically for the dog beach to allow some fun with our two golden retrievers. Very disappointing. We envisioned dozens of dogs running and playing on the beach as you see in the US. Even in the off leash area, people still kept their dogs leashed and dogs were not running and playing. People are way too uptight. If you are not going to enjoy the dog beach, stay on the other beach.
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Canadian_Guy1000
In May, 2013, we went canoeing & camping to Algonquin Park, hoping to relax, take photographs of ubiquitous moose wandering all over the park and just enjoy the park’s wilderness and serenity. Well, we did not take one thing into account: black flies! There were huge swarms of those tiny insects attacking us along with mosquitoes and we were forced to cut our trip short and left the park after just two nights. Not wanting to have a similar experience, in 2014 we decided to go to Port Burwell Provincial Park, where black flies were non-existent (yes, I had contacted the park superintendent beforehand to confirm this!).I had visited this park several times in the early 2000s; although it is obviously different from northern parks, I loved the sandy beach along Lake Erie. Port Burwell is just outside the park and it is quite a nice town, with a museum, old church, lighthouse and the newest attraction — an authentic, decommissioned submarine, open to the public. The submarine tour was the highlight of our trip! By the way, Fred Bodsworth (1918-2012), a Canadian naturalist, journalist and author (“Last of the Curlews”), was born in Port Burwell and is buried at the local cemetery.When we arrived at the park, the office was closed and we proceeded to a ‘host campsite’, where we bought firewood and proceeded to find a nice campsite. We were set up our tent on a campsite near a ravine and since all the campsites around us were vacant, we were able to enjoy total privacy and tranquility … for just two nights, when a group of young people decided, for inexplicable reasons, to set up their tent on the adjacent campsite, just meters from ours. Well, humans are undoubtedly intricate creatures!We also went to the beach (on Lake Erie), which is part of the park. There were several huge parking lots, now totally vacant. Since it must have rained quite heavy just a few days before, thick mist was coming off the beach and was enveloping the dunes and driftwood — the whole area resembled a scene from a horror movie and we just loved walking on the foggy shore.Although it would be rather unwise to canoe on Lake Erie, it is possible to canoe on the Big Otter Creek from Port Burwell at least to Vienna and back.We had a nice campfire every night and only a few raccoons showed up at night. The comfort stations were clean and had plenty of hot water! As it rained during the day, we explored nearby towns of Aylmer and its farmer/flea market (we met plenty of Mennonites) as well as the Ontario Police College nearby. Overall, a nice park!
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traveltheworld61
We have visited numerous Provincial parks this summer and this is our favorite, a two hour drive from the Hamilton area. Park staff are friendly, numerous sites with plenty of privacy, nice grassy lots, wonderful place if you love to walk. Nice long beach, needed a little TLC but it was Thanksgiving. Comfort stations were well located , stocked and clean. Walking distance to the town of Port Burwell, easy access to tour the HMCS Ojibwa submarine. Handicap sites available A definite return for us.
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mvisme
Spent this past Canadian Thanksgiving weekend there in a camping trailer. Sites are huge and have more privacy than most other provincial parks. Sites are great- beautiful, level, and good drainage in case it rains. The beaches are beautiful and well kept for the most part... would love to visit again in the summer. The only criticism I had was the location of electrical posts on the site. I parked the trailer on the gravel pad provided on the site and still needed an additional 60 feet of extension cord on top of the 25ft trailer cord just to get to the post. Luckily, I had enough extension cords.Overall, this is one of the better PPs in this part of Ontario. We stayed here in a 24ft hybrid travel trailer and will definitely be back!
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ESmith583
We have camped at Port Burwell quite a few times, but this past year we only went once. Although the campsites are generally good sized and fairly private, the beach is really declining. They no longer groom the beach, and it's now full of debris from Lake Erie, our least favourite Great Lake. Port Burwell does have a fabulous playground, though.
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AcapulcoFred
The Port Burwell Park and Beach are a wonderful place to relax and watch a sunset. I love to walk order to the break wall and from that area take some breath taking sunset photos. Just be careful swimming in the Port Burwell beach as it has been known to have undertow.
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GREG2305
We have loved every Canadian Provincial Park we've camped in before but this was an experience.We stopped on a rainy night so this will be reviewed with that in mind.This is not the place to stay when it rains!You are limited to very few sites when checking in late and all these sites were all near or under water.We decided to take any site that was accessible and luckily found one with a gravel base.Now the hunt for the electrical boxes was on. : (This park definitely went out of the way to hide the boxes in the woods so an extension cord is needed.The facilities were in great shape and looked to be newer than the campground.
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216amitas
We went to port burwell over the long weekend for a day trip, family trip with a dog. It was great because they had a great dog beach area.. which i thought would be dirty, but was actually the cleanest part of the beach! The sand was really nice! The beach could be a little cleaner from the seashells and stuff, but was still really nice. It was really quiet and i loved it. One thing i would like to see as it grows is maybe some beach side snack areas and washroom facilities closer to the beach...but i could imagine why its not there given that its not a high traffic area... definitely beats wassaga with the ppl on ppl and the dirtiness all over! I would def go back and go back camping this time.
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rolliecoaster16
We booked 6 sites for a Thu-Sun for our annual big family camping for the first time here and we were pleasantly surprised. The sites were private and well-shaded. The size was adequate HOWEVER they only allowed one car per site. This is a big turn-off for our group especially since there is enough space to park two cars. The washroom and shower facilities were nice and clean. Our site (161 - Leander) was in a strategic location for the washroom and the overflow parking lot but not for the water source. The beach was a bit of a drive from the site but it was clean and the water was clear. The water was a bit cold but not as cold as Cobourg off Lake Ontario. No algae this year which I heard was a concern last year.A big plus for us was the big baseball field, volleyball courts and playground in the middle of the campgrounds. There were not too many bugs and the racoons did not pay our site a visit.
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fcasilio
We stayed at Port Burwell provincial park in early August at Campsite #125. We have 3 kids between ages 3 and 7 and they all loved it. PROS:1. Our campsite was within ear shot (and partial view thru the trees) of the playground which is great for us and the kids at this age.2. Every morning there was a interactive demonstration put on by the staff which the kids really enjoyed3. Trails are on the shorter side which is great for the younest kids4. Our campsite was large and spacious. Easily accommodated our 8 person tent, a 10x12 shelter, our car and still had PLENTY of room.5. Staff is very friendly.6. We only went to the town beach (not the provincial park one), literally a 1 min drive from the park, and it was GREAT for the kids as it's not deep at all. I was about 0.5KM in the water and it was only up to my waste.CONS:1. Wood bought from the campground is completely soaked. A small quantity of wood is in a shelter when you pick it up, but after making a trip to the beach we found out the majority is stored outdoors. It was completely soaked.2. Campsite #125 is a full dirt floor, wasn't a problem for our stay, but I figured I would mention it for those who don't like to stay on dirt.3. You have to driver to the beach, we didn't mind it, but I thought I would mention it.Overall, we definitely plan to return. We had nothing bad to say at all.
